This page lists exactly what documents you need for a Japan visa in 2026 — the paperwork immigration actually checks, drawn from Japan's official requirements. Prepare these correctly and you remove the most common cause of delays and refusals.
Japan visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Short-term stay visa / eVisa |
| Government fee | INR 500 (single entry, reduced for Indians) |
| Processing time | About 5 working days |
| Validity | Single or multiple entry as issued |
| Permitted stay | 90 days |
| Where to apply | https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$65 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Japan visa documents checklist
For the Visa exemption (short-term stay)
- Valid passport (e-passport for Indonesia/Thailand exemption)
- Onward ticket
- Visit Japan Web QR
For the Short-term stay visa / eVisa
- Passport
- Visa application form
- Photo
- Flight and hotel bookings
- Daily itinerary
- Income tax returns / bank statements
- Cover/invitation letter where applicable
For the JAPAN eVISA - Single-entry Tourism
- Passport valid for the stay
- Completed online application via JAPAN eVISA / VFS
- Photo
- Flight itinerary and accommodation
- Daily schedule of stay
- Proof of funds / bank statement
For the Short-term Visa Exemption (Singapore)
- Singapore passport valid for the stay
- Onward/return ticket and proof of funds may be checked
Photo and passport specification
Most Japan rejections at the document stage are avoidable: use a recent colour photo with the correct size and background, no glasses or headwear (unless religious), and a passport with at least six months of validity and free pages. Names and dates must match exactly across your form, passport and bookings.
Japan visa for children and families
Children usually need their own visa or entry authorisation, even infants. For family applications, prepare each traveller's passport and photo, and add birth certificates for minors and, where a child travels with one parent or a guardian, a consent letter. Applying for the whole family together keeps travel dates and reference numbers consistent.
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Japan visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Japan.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: Visit Japan Web (free) — immigration & customs pre-registration — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Japan
- Arrival card / declaration: Visit Japan Web (free) — immigration & customs pre-registration
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Requirements by Japan visa type
| Option | Official fee | Max stay | Processing | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption (short-term stay) | Free | 15 / 30 / 90 days by nationality | On arrival | No application; register Visit Japan Web |
| Short-term stay visa / eVisa | INR 500 (single entry, reduced for Indians) | 90 days | About 5 working days | https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Visa.html |
| JAPAN eVISA - Single-entry Tourism | INR 500 (reduced flat rate for Indian nationals under India-Japan agreement); standard equivalent to JPY 3,000 single-entry for others | 90 days | About 5 working days after complete submission | https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp |
| Short-term Visa Exemption (Singapore) | Free | 90 days | On arrival | https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html |
Things to do once your Japan visa is sorted
Popular experiences in Japan you can book on HolidaySG:
- Miyama-Keihoku Ride-All-You-Can Bus Ticket | Kyoto — from JPY 1,400
- Mizuki Sakura Kimono Walking Experience (including kimono rental) — from JPY 5,400
- Ishikawa Pref. Wakura Onsen Festival Hall admission — from JPY 1,000
- Osaka Fun Tour 1-Day Ticket — from JPY 2,000
- Osaka Fun Tour 2-Day Pass — from JPY 2,500
- Spy x Family in Nijigen no Mori ~ DOKIDOKI Maze and Flower Park — from JPY 1,595
Official sources
- MOFA Japan — verified 16 August 2026
- MOFA Japan — verified 19 August 2026
- Official government source — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.